Arm guard and attaching bracket



Jan. 26, 1965 c. J. zwlcKEY ARM GUARD AND ATTACHING BRACKET 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 20, 1960 INVENTOR.

CLIFFOR J. ZWICKEY BY( Z ATTORNEY Jan. 26, 1965 c. J. zwlcKEY ARM GUARD AND ATTACHING BRACKET 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 20, 1960 wl 2s FIG. IO, I .29 $6 INVEN TOR.

CLIFFORD J. ZWICKEY mnh @5am ATTO RN EY United States Patent 3,167,962 ARM GUARD AND ATTACHING BRACKET `@Clifford il. Zwickey, itl? 12th Ave., NE., North St. Paul, -Minn Filed lan. 2t), 1966, Ser. No. 3,658 4'Claims. (Cl. 121%.23)

This invention relates to the sport of archery, and more particularly to an arm guard and/or to an arm guardbow assembly for use in that sport.

As is well known, it is desirable for an archer to utilize a; guard (heretofore laced or clipped to his arm) toprevent injury to the forearm of the arm supporting the bow, and also to present a smooth surface for the bow string to strike and slide along so that it will not be retarded during travel by striking the archers arm or clothing thereon. A bow string, when released from a position of full draw, travels at high velocity, and since a bow tends to twist slightly in the archers hand at the instant of shooting, the bow string is directed toward the forearm of the archer, and strikes the same with suicient impact to be painful to the arched and/ or to deflect the flight of the arrow.

It has heretofore been customary for an archer to cover his forearm with a stiff cuff or sleeve made of leather, liber, or plastic laced or clipped into position about the forearm. This type of arm guard is both inconvenient and uncomfortable. Each time the archer changes a garment, `the arm guard of conventional types must be removed and again put on. Frequently the lacing or straps on `the guard must be readjusted to accommodate the added bulk of an extra garment added during cold weather. Such guards are especially uncomfortable during hot weather and, furthermore, being a separate, small item, are frequently forgotten or lost.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages above briefly referred to by providing an arm guard which is attached to the bow and which will overlie and protect the forearm of the archer when the bow is held in shooting position. The guard is not affixed to the archers arm, and is configured and mounted in such manner that it is adapted to serve its proper function irrespective of the amount of clothing which the archer may be wearing or irrespective ofthe shape of the particular archers arm. Inthe preferred embodiments of my `arm guard, they are rotatable upon the bow in order that the bow/arm guard assembly may be easily inserted within a carrying case. The items of the present invention are easy and inexpensive to manufacture and are adapted -for attachment to all standard types of bows.

In order to attain the particular objectives, as aforesaid, and others, the armguard is mounted on the central section of the bow at or near the hand grip. When in position for shooting, the guard extends at substantially right angles from the bow to follow the contour of the innner forearm of the arm supporting the bow. In some adaptations, it is preferred that the guard be slightly angled away from the bow string `to that side -thereof on which the arm is positioned. The arm guard extends along the forearm of the holder beyond the taut, idle bow string (-i.e., said bow string being in normal braced position) between the bow string and the archers forearm. The guard, of course, extends sufficiently far back along the archers arm so that it will overlie the position where the bow string may strike the arm, when it is released.

Referring now to the drawings:

FIGURE l is a side view of a portion of a bow (held by an archer) upon which one preferred embodiment of my arm guardis mounted.

URE l.

ice

FIGURE 3 is a sectional View along line az--a of FIG- URE l.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view along line c'-c of FIG- URE l.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged plan view of one preferred form of bracket, showing the manner `in which that bracket `may be attached to the bow.

FIGURE 6 is a side view of `another preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 7 is a side View of a third preferred embodiment of the invention,

FGURE 8 is a sectional View, takenalong line f-f i of FIGURE 7.

FIGURES 9 and lt) are plan views of two forms of bracketswhich differ slightly.

FIGURE 1l is a sectional View, taken along line g-g of the bracket shown in FIGURE 9.

Referring more particularly now to the form of guard shown in FIGURES 1-4, inclusive, that guard comprises two main components; first, a` pair of flexible resilient arms 2 and 2a and second, arm shield 3l. In the structure shown, arms 2 and 2a are `formed from a single length of wire, which is formed also with an attaching loop 4inear its mid-portion. Theportions of arms 2 and 2a which lie more nearly adjacent bow 5 `are curved so that each of said arms will clear the heel portion 6 of archers arm 7 (see FIGURE 2, particularly), and said arms then extend backwardly toward the archer-s elbow in substantially parallel relationship. The terminal portion of arm' Za is substantially directly over the terminal portion of arm 2. Each of said arms is resilient and adapted to give under pressure from the archers forearm. Said arms `project rearwardly from bow 5 at substantially right angles toward, and beyond, the taut, `idle bow string mounted thereon.

Arm shield 3, which may be made of any rigid, durable plastic, or plastic-like material, or leather, etc., is mounted between arms 2 and 2a and is suspended therebetween by means of a plurality of connecting links, in this instance the three links S-b. Connecting links S-Sb are pref# erably made of flexible material (such as flexible leather or cloth, etc), so that they will permit shield- 2lV easily toV take slightly different positions, depending upon the shape,` of the archers arm or the quantity of clothing he is wear-` ing. Arms 2 and 2n normally exert a spreading force upon said links (i.e., the terminal portions of said arms would tend to diverge if not held together by said links and shield), and this spreading force tends` to keep links ll-tlb taut and shield 3 in properly aligned suspension between arms 2 and 2a.

Shield 3 has enough length to extend from the upper portion of the archers forearm toward the bow, past the idle bow string and down to the area of the archers Wrist where the force of the bow string, after it has been released, will be spent. The shield preferably iscurved to conform to the curve of a human forearm. The shield is positioned laterally to the side of the bow string on which the archers forearm is placed; i.e., theV shield lies between the bow string and the archers arm.

In the `embodiment shown in FIGURES 1-4, shield 3' is provided with slots 9 through which connectingrlinks Sdtlb are threaded. The opposed tips of each of` theV strips forming links S-lb may be stapled or stitchedl as at It? to form each of said links Ainto a little belt which extends through a slot 9 and around a portion yof arm 2 or arm 2a. i

I prefer to utilize the `manner of linkage (between shield 3 and arms 2 and 2a) because I thereby achieve a t relationship which is well adapted to accommodate the;`

anemona arms of many archers. The diverging force exerted by arms 2 and 2a keeps shield 3 in properly erect position, whereas the placement of connecting link ii, at the top edge of shield 3 between lower links 8a and 3b, permits the shield to shift position under pressure from the arm and yet return to normal position when that pressure is relieved. The arrangement shown causes the shield to effectively orient itself to the archers forearm and to contact'said forearm with substantially equal pressure along the shields entire length.

The tip of each of arms 2 and Za is formed with a hook lll, to precludeV either of links S or 8a (and consequently shield 3) from sliding off arms 2 and 2a. Smail rubbber members 12 are tted upon each of arms 2 and Za to prevent the shield from sliding forwardly, on tne arms, toward the bow. It will be understood that the particular parametro configuration of the shield shown in FIGURE l is somewhat arbitrary, and that a number of different such configurations could be used.

Referring now to the embodiment of arm guard shown in FIGURE 6, reference character f3 indicates a flexible supporting arm, formed at its end with attaching loop 14. The end of said arm I3, which lies opposite from loop i4, is bent to form hook l5, which is embedded in, or otherwise fastened to, shield 16 near the rear end of shield 16, thus achieving greater length of arm f3 than would be attained if said arm were attached closer to the front end of the shield. This has a dual effect; first, the arm is more readily flexed, relative to the bow, and second, the front end of the shield, under pressure, will easily move laterally of the arm I3 so that the shield lo will readily orient itself to the archers arm. Said hook l5 serves to anchor shield 16 more securely on arm f3. Shield 16, in this embodiment, as well as in the embodiment of FIGURE l, may be formed from any relatively rigid sheet material. Shield 16 is preferably contoured to conform generally to a human forearm, and arm i3 may be arced to avoid contact with an archers heel-thumb when the guard is in use and the archer is making a shot. When the guard is used and an arrow is released from the bow, the bow turns slightly in the users hand, bringing the arm guard against the archers forearm. The bow string then slides along the outer surface of the guard without being retarded by the archers sleeve. Also, of course, the guard protects the archers forearm from in- Jury.

A somewhat different embodiment of arm guard is shown 'in FIGURE 7. That guard, like the guard of FIG- URE l, is formed with a pair of parallel spaced apart resilient arms 17 and 17a, but the central portion of the wire stock from which said arms are turned is provided with two, rather than with just one, connecting loop. Said loops are designated by reference characters f3 and 13a. The use of two such loops provides for a somewhat more secure attachment of the guard to the bow, but has the disadvantage that the guard is not then so easily rotated as when one wants to cause the guard to extend parallel to the bow to be put in a case. The terminal portions of arms 17 and 17a are fitted with a textile fabric sleeve 19, and this sleeve is maintained in taut, extended position by diverging forces exerted upon it by arms It? and 17a. Rigid shield 2@ is stitched or otherwise affixed to the surface of sleeve 19, as by attachments Zll. When the guard of FIGURE 7 is in use, the twisting action of the bow, when an arrow is released, causes the guard to move toward the archers forearm, and textile sleeve 19 then conforms neatly tothe curvature of the arm or the clothing thereon. The ends of arms i7 and la are turned back upon themselves as at 22 to facilitate placement of Y the sleeve upon said arms.

The arm guards of FIGURES l and 6 are attached to the bow by means of a mounting bracket, such as are shown in FIGURES 9 and l0. The bracket of FGURE 9, which contains one supporting notch 23, is particularly adapted for use with the form of guard shown in FlGURE,

6. Notch 23 is adapted to receive and hold the arm I3 so that the guard will be maintained in position extending 4at right angles to the bow, and along the archers forearm. The form of bracket shown in FIGURE lt), which is provided with two notches Z4 and 24a, is particularly suited for the arm guard of FlGURE l. Each of the brackets shown in FIGURES 9 and l() is made of relatively lightweight sheet metal stock 2S which is formed with a piurality of apertures 26, spaced closely together, thereby making it easier to bend the tips 2'7 around the bow. In use of the brackets, they are taken, in the forms shown in FGURE 9 and l0, and placed `against the surface or" the bow near the hand grip thereon: see FGURE l. Tips 27 are then bent to foliow the configuration ofthe bow and the bracket is lashed on to the bow stock as by twine 23, shown in FlGURE 5. The bracket is formed with ears Z9 which serve to hold the twine in position around the bracket. After the twine has been applied, varnish or such like may be applied thereover. Also, of course, the bracket may be affixed to the bow by other binding or attaching means; eg., adhesive tape. Also, the bracket, if it is to be permanently mounted, may be attached to the bow by screws. The central portieri of the bracket is provided with a stud bolt 39, over which wing nut 3l may be turned down. the end loop of the arms is fitted over stud bolt 3i?. The parallel arms of the guard are then placed within notches 2d and 2da, and the wing nut is tightened. The arm guard is thereby held securely in the desired position; i.e., extending along the arm of the archer.

When the bow is not in use, wing nut 5l may be loosened and the arm guard then raised to the position Shown in broken lines in FGURE 1. The bow may then easily be inserted within its carrying case.

It'will be apparent that the particular embodiments of arm guard heretofore described may be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. I do not intend to be limited to the particular components or assemblies shown, but instead to define the scope of my invention by the claims appended hereto.

What I claim is as foliows:

1. An arm guard adapted for attachment to an archers conventional longbow including a connecting means having at least one arm in connection with the central section of said longbow and extended rearwardly therefrom and a thin elongated shield connected'to said longbow by said connecting means, said shield extending rearwardly in relation to the taut idle bowstring of said longbow and being arranged in spaced relation thereto and to that side at which the archers forearm is placed to support said longbow in use, said shield being further positioned to lie between said taut idle bowstring and said archers forearm, said shield to come within the area of travel of said bowstring and in interference therewith and thus to receive the sliding impact of said bowstring as an arrow is being shot from said conventional longbow, said connecting means including two arms and a series of connecting links with said shield suspended between said arms by means of two connecting links spaced apart along one longitudinal edge of said shield and one connecting link located on the opposite longitudinal edge of said shield and spaced intermediate said other two connecting links.

2. An arm guard adapted for aixation to the central section of an archers conventional longbow, said arm guard including a support adapted to extend rearwardly from said longbow toward the taut idle bowstring thereon, a thin elongated shield joined to said longbow by said support for movement in relation to said longbow whereby said shield may come into a position of interference with the bowstring of said longbow as an arrow is being shot therefrom.

3. The structure of claim 2 in which said shield isV joined to said support nearest that extremity of said shield farthest displaced from said longbow, said Yshield extending rearwardly beyond said taut idle bowstring and lateral- As shown in FIGURE l, for example, v

5 ly clearing said bowstring on that side on which the archers arm is placed when supporting the bow in use.

4. An arm guard adapted for atxation to the central section of yan archers conventional longbow, said arm guard including a support adapted to extend rearwardly from said longbow toward the taut idle bowstring thereon,

a thin elongated shield resiliently connected to said longbow by said support for movement of said shield in relation to the area of travel of the bowstring of said longbow, whereby said shield will come into an angular position of intersection with said area of travel, as an arrow is being shot from said longbow.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Folberth Sept 12, 1933 Brading June 19, 1945 Bear Mar. 8, 1949 Ramsey Nov. 13, 1951 Mulkey Aug. 2, 1955 Weindel Sept. l0, 1957 Irwin Dec. 17, 1957 Audette Nov. 24, 1959 

2. AN ARM GUARD ADAPTED FOR AFFIXATION TO THE CENTRAL SECTION OF AN ANCHER''S CONVENTIONAL LONGBOW, SAID ARM GUARD INCLUDING A SUPPORT ADAPTED TO EXTEND REARWARDLY FROM SAID LONGBOW TOWARD THE TAUT IDLE BOWSTRING THEREON, A THIN ELONGATED SHIELD JOINED TO SAID LONGBOW BY SAID SUPPORT FOR MOVEMENT IN RELATION TO SAID LONGBOW WHEREBY SAID SHIELD MAY COME INTO A POSITION OF INTERFERENCE WITH THE BOWSTRING OF SIAD LONG BOW AS AN ARROW IS BEING SHOT THEREFROM. 